Import for Java or Other Languages that will Generate Flowcharts, Given Data

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Import for Java or Other Languages that will Generate Flowcharts, Given Data

I'm trying to create an automated "spider diagram" like the ones created by VUE:

http://vue.tufts.edu/

VUE is open source, but the issue is that you create the maps in the program. I want to have a program that will pull the data from an excel sheet and display the map automatically when run.

I know how to open and parse the data in files, so reading the file isn't the issue. I can program the behavior of how I want everything to "link up", but I just don't want to have to create an applet, then develop the software from scratch.

If I made anything unclear, let me know. I'm very tired today, so it's difficult to stay focused very long.

Many thanks!

-Justian

I would suggest to use the freeware yEd Graph Editor to create diagrams from your Excel data. This tool allows you to import Excel data that is either in matrix or edge list form. Once you have imported your data you can let the tool automatically arrange your diagram with a multitude of different layout algorithms. To obtain a result similar to VUE, use layout style Organic. For dependency structures or flow charts use layout style Hierarchical.

2010-06-25 07:53:02

I managed to stumble upon that with some google searches ;). It looks really useful. The only issue is that, in their terms and conditions, I'm not allowed to use it in an "automated process", which would be difficult without de-compiling the source, anyways. Apparently yEd Graph Editor was created using yFiles, which contains all of the sorting algorithms, etc. The only downside is that I have to provide a company email, meaning that I would need to first get company approval before downloading it. Does anyone know if jFiles is worth it?

Justian Meyer 2010-06-25 13:04:30

JGraph is a library to do that. You give it the node and edges and it figures out how to present them in a meaningful way. It is kind of like using graphviz but in Java.

For visualization of production runs we use graphviz out of process and show the images generated from that. It works fine, but a single process solution would be better.

Reading an excel as CSV should be straightforward. POI allows you to read directly the Excel files.

Peter Tillemans 2010-06-25 08:08:04

It looks ok, but I think yFiles looks like a good option. Just to be clear: it -is- a library like you said, right? It looks almost like a standalone java program from what they're showing. How clear and documented are the classes?

Justian Meyer 2010-06-25 12:36:23

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Import for Java or Other Languages that will Generate Flowcharts, Given Data

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